City Hospital

An Ellicott City, Md., man died Sunday at a Virginia hospital after participating in the Tough Mudder endurance series in Berkeley County on Saturday, police said. Avishek Sengupta, 28, was pronounced dead at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., Berkeley County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Ted Snyder said Monday. Sengupta's death was ruled accidental by the Virginia medical examiner's office in Manassas, Va., which said Monday afternoon that drowning was the cause of death. Sengupta had to be removed from a fairly deep pool at the “Walk the Plank” aquatic obstacle where it appears he was submerged for too long, according to Snyder.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week - April 15 to 21 - West Virginia University Hospitals-East's City Hospital recognized its 150 auxiliary members, volunteers and chaplains by hosting an appreciation luncheon April 17 at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg. Members of the City Hospital auxiliary were celebrated for their 2011 fundraising efforts, which resulted in $15,000 being donated to patient-care services at the hospital, while 16 clergy members were recognized for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the hospital's chaplaincy program.

West Virginia University Hospitals-East's City Hospital recently recognized 145 employees for their years of service to the hospital at a celebration dinner at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg. City Hospital's Chief Administrative Officer Tony Zelenka thanked the group for their dedication and service to the hospital over the years. He acknowledged that of the employees recognized, 33 individuals had 20 or more years of service to City Hospital. As part of the evening's program, the 2011 Quality Service Award winner was announced.

Brian White was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for March. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. White, an employee in the cardiac rehab department and The Wellness Center, was nominated for providing excellent customer service. “Brian gives the most consistent customer service of anyone I know at WVUH-East,” said Pam Gesford, a colleague who nominated him for the award. “All of his patients love him, whether it's in cardiac rehab or The Wellness Center.

Martha Gisriel recently was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for January. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award.  Gisriel, human resources manager, was nominated by a co-worker, who wrote, “Martha is approachable, available, professional and can be relied on. She shows a commitment to service and to the City Hospital community.” Criteria for selection as a Quality Service...

Manny Williams, of the human resources department, was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for November. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. Williams was nominated for always being positive and upbeat. “Manny maintains and demonstrates wonderful relationships with all he has contact with,” according to the nomination form. “He exhibits commitment to great service, and truly portrays the hospital mission and vision by always being pleasant and helpful to all. He is great asset to the hospital, even if you don't get hired.” Criteria for selection as a Quality Service Award recipient includes demonstrating a consistently high level of productivity and quality of work; a high degree of initiative in performing work responsibilities; displaying exceptional dependability; exhibiting effective relationships with others; displaying a commitment to service and serving the City Hospital community; and meeting the criteria for the West Virginia University Hospitals-East mission, vision and values.

Michelle Richmond was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for February. Richmond, who works in environmental services, was nominated by a patient who observed her cleaning his room.  “Based on my observation, she appears to be a conscientious and self-motivated employee with a high degree of initiative in performing her work responsibilities,” he stated on the nomination form. Criteria for selection as a Quality Service Award recipient includes demonstrating a consistently high level of productivity and quality of work; dependability; effective relationships with others; commitment to service; and meeting the criteria for the West Virginia University Hospitals-East mission.   

Brandy Long, RN, was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for February. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. Long, a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, was nominated for her efforts to assist an 18-year-old patient who was recently diagnosed with diabetes. According to the nomination form, Long went above and beyond to assist the patient with diabetes education. She was observed speaking on the telephone with the patient after he was discharged, making sure he followed discharge instructions.

Angelia Harvey was named City Hospital’s Quality Service Award winner for April. Each month, the hospital’s Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award.   Harvey, a phlebotomist in the McCormack Center lab, was nominated by a patient who described her as friendly, giving and a professional who knows her work. The patient stated, “I love coming to do my labs at the McCormack Center because of her.” Criteria for selection as a Quality Service Award recipient includes demonstrating a consistently high level of productivity and quality of work, along with a high degree of initiative in performing work responsibilities; displaying exceptional dependability; exhibiting effective relationships with others; displaying a commitment to service and serving the City Hospital community; and meeting the criteria for the WVUH-East mission, vision and values.   

Justin Northcraft was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for January. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. Northcraft, a security officer, was nominated by his manager, Steve Canby, for his recent heroic efforts to assist an unconscious male found on the hospital grounds. Criteria for selection as a Quality Service Award recipient includes demonstrating a consistently high level of productivity and quality of work, along with a high degree of initiative in performing work responsibilities; displaying exceptional dependability; exhibiting effective relationships with others; displaying a commitment to service and serving the City Hospital community; and meeting the criteria for the WVUH-East mission, vision and values.

Betty L. Kief, 83, of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at City Hospital. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Pleasant View Memory Gardens with the Rev. James D. Riley Jr. officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home.

What were, until Monday, City Hospital in Martinsburg and Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Charles Town, W.Va., are now Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center, both under the umbrella of University Healthcare. The new names were announced at a brief press conference Monday at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center in Martinsburg. The reason for the change is to better promote both hospitals in the communities they serve, said Robert F. Baronner Jr., chairman of West Virginia University Hospitals-East, which owns both local hospitals.

Karen Castle and Helena Burnette were named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winners for March. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. In March, two nursing assistants from the fifth-floor medical/surgical unit were selected. Castle and Burnette were nominated by a patient for their care, and for going the extra mile to lift her spirits and help provide support. “Through their actions and help, they have shown me that they care so much and are both so special,” the patient wrote.

Dr. Erik Hurst will offer free skin cancer screenings from 9 to noon Saturday, May 25,in the Dorothy McCormack Center on the City Hospital campus. Registration is required and is limited to 75. To register or for more information, call 304-264-1232.

New names for City Hospital in Martinsburg and Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, W.Va., will be unveiled Monday as part of National Hospital Week celebrations, West Virginia University Hospitals-East announced Friday. Celebrations to promote the rebranding and to honor and recognize the efforts of all staff members will be held throughout the week. “The people who meet the daily health care needs of this nation are a committed, compassionate group of individuals united by their calling to help others,” said Anthony Zelenka, chief administrative officer at City Hospital in the news release.

The driver of the pickup that fatally struck a trash collection truck worker on Dominion Road near Gerrardstown, W.Va., on March 7 has died, police said this week. Stephen J. Vigh Jr., 75, of Gerrardstown, passed away at his residence on May 1, according to his obituary. The trash collection worker, Jeremy L. Tabler, 30, died at City Hospital in Martinsburg after he was struck by the F-250 truck that Vigh was driving. State Police Trooper W.M. Roden, who investigated the crash, said Vigh was cleared of any wrongdoing in the accident.

William T. "Bill" Parks, 85, of Charles Town, W.Va., died Thursday, May 2, 2013, at City Hospital in Martinsburg, W.Va. There will be no visitation. The service will be private. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park, Butler, Pa. Arrangements are by Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

Persons interested in learning more about the Lap-Band procedure being performed at City Hospital, a member of WVU Hospitals-East, are invited to attend a free presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, located on the City Hospital campus, off Hospital Drive in Martinsburg. Dr. Robert E. Cicchino Jr., from University Surgical Associates, will provide an overview of the Lap- Band procedure, explain the pros and cons of the system, and participants will have an opportunity to ask their questions.

Delora Ann Weatherholtz, 53, of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at City Hospital. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg.

Karen Jennings, 60, of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Thursday, April 25, 2013, at City Hospital. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Friday at Brown Funeral Home. The service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Bishop David Perrin officiating. Burial will be private.